The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are making some changes on the blueline.
They have traded defenceman Brad Fortier to the SIJHL expansion Kam River Fighting Walleye.
The 18-year-old from Thunder Bay played in 46 games with the Ice Dogs and amassed 3-goals, 12-assists, 15-points and 38-penalty minutes.
Dryden GM received cash in return.
The President of the Canadian Junior Hockey League says he’s aiming for a September start for all member leagues, including the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
Brent Ladds says they are using the unprecedented times of COVID-19 to focus on the upcoming season and what that might look like.
Ladds says “There is a possibility of staggered openings, which impacts registration and cut-down regulations, so giving consideration to a number of scenarios, we have had to redesign time tables for guidelines, that would address those possibilities, which we have done with the assistance of Hockey Canada, and their members.
He notes resuming normal operations depend on the proper approvals from federal, provincial and regional health authorities.
Ladds adds they stay closely tuned to the daily national and provincial health reports to ensure that they are able to react accordingly.
(Picture Credit: Hockey Canada Images)
The captain of the Dryden GM Ice Dogs is headed back to his home province to continue his hockey career and further his education.
Kelowna’s Curtis Magas has committed to play for Selkirk College in Castlegar, B.C.
The Saints play in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League.
Magas joins graduating goaltender and teammate Jacob Anthony.
Magas was named the Most Valuable Player of the Ice Dogs this past season and won the Coach’s Award in 2018-2019.
The versatile player was on the ice for 95 games with Dryden GM and recorded 24 goals and 44 assists.
Fort Frances Lakers head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan has received the prestigious Gary Cook Memorial Award in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
The honour is presented annually to an individual in recognition of their efforts, commitment and contributions to the league.
Strachan is the winningest coach in league history and has received a record-five Coach of the Year awards.
He has led Fort Frances to multiple league finals, three Bill Salonen Cup championships along with numerous Dudley-Hewitt Cup appearances.
Commissioner Bryan Graham says “Wayne Strachan has been one of the leading figures in the SIJHL since its inception and not many are more deserving of this award. His commitment to the Fort Frances program for nearly two decades has been a vital cog to the club’s success throughout the years.”
Here are the previous winners of the Gary Cook Memorial Award
2019-20: Wayne Strachan, Fort Frances Lakers
2018-19: Tom Annelin, SIJHL Director of Communications
2017-18: Eric Vastamaki, SIJHL Referee
2016-17: Doug Colbon, Thunder Bay North Stars
2015-16: Milt Strachan, Fort Frances Lakers
2014-15: Ron Whitehead, Former SIJHL President/Commissioner
2013-14: Mike Ebbeling, CKDR Radio Dryden
2012-13: Trevor Hosanna, Hockey Northwestern Ontario
2011-12: Malcolm Robertson, Dryden Ice Dogs
2010-11: Rod Aldoff, Wisconsin Wilderness
2009-10: Ted Lake, Dryden Ice Dogs
2008-09: Doug Lawrance, Sioux Lookout Flyers
2007-08: Carolyn/Scott Kellaway, Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
The outgoing captain of the Dryden GM Ice Dogs is thanking the organization for his two years with the team.
Curtis Magas is one of four 20 year old’s who won’t be back next season.
The product of Kelowna, B.C., says he felt at home playing in Dryden, stating he learned the true meaning of fighting for every person in the room, organization and the community.
During the virtual Awards Banquet, Magas delivered a message to the returning players.
“At the end of the day I hope you boys take away from this year that until you put your ego away and leave it at the door, you won’t truly see the beautiful things in hockey and what they have in store for you. Because it’s a team a sport and we learned that lesson together.”
Magas registered 27 goals, 46 assists, 73 points and 207 penalty minutes in 103 games with Dryden GM.
He won the team Coaches Award in 2018-2019 and was named MVP this past season.
To hear the year-end address from Curtis Magas, visit the Audio link below.
A graduating member of the Red Lake Miners is headed south of the border to continue his hockey career.
Zach Willms has committed to the Fredonia State Blue Devils program.
The team competes out of the State University of New York Athletic Conference.
Fredonia State is situated on the southern shores of Lake Erie between Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio.
Last season, Willms led all netminders in wins, goals-against average and save percentage.
That earned him SIJHL Top Goalie honours.
The First Team All-Star also set a league record for total career victories with 52.
A graduating player with the Dryden GM Ice Dogs believes his team had a legitimate shot at its third SIJHL championship in four years.
At the virtual Awards Banquet, third year forward Malcolm Huemmert commented on the season being cut short due to COVID-19.
“Unfortunate way to end the season. I think things were starting to come around in the end and I thought we had a serious kick at the can there. Next year the boys who are coming back are going to have to bring it. It’s exciting, it’s fun. Make sure Bill comes back next year.”
The product of Edmonton, Alberta won a Bill Salonen Cup with Dryden GM in 2017-2018.
Huemmert also took time to thank the organization.
“Three years ago Kurt and Mike (Kurt Walsten and Mike Sveinson) gave me the opportunity to come here and start my junior career and I would like to thank them because they are the ones who made it happen and gave me the most enjoyable three years of my life.”
He adds “You build a great relationship with your billets here in Dryden. That’s just the way it is. They are such great people and our coordinators do such a good job picking those families out.”
Huemmert played his entire junior hockey career in Dryden spanning a total of 137 games.
Including playoffs, he finished with 60 goals, 69 assists, 129 points and 262 penalty minutes.
To hear the full year-end address, visit the Audio link below.
The Playoff MVP for the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in 2018-2019 is reflecting back on a year-and-a-half run with the junior hockey team.
Jacob Anthony was one of four 20 year-old’s to be recognized during the teams virtual Awards Banquet.
Anthony took time to Head Coach Kurt Walsten and President Mike Sveinson.
“Thank you for everything. You guys gave me a shot that nobody gave me before. Gave me a chance to play my 100th game and more in Junior Hockey. You gave me the net in the playoffs that I never had before.”
He added “You guys showed a lot of faith in me and the confidence you guys gave me was phenomenal. So thank you very much. That will always hold a special spot in my heart and same with the City of Dryden. I can’t wait to come back and see everybody. Thank you for everything!”
He is now going to Castlegar to play for the Selkirk College Saints of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League.
Anthony was acquired by the Ice Dogs in a trade from Estavan midway through the 2018-2019 campaign.
The product of Grand Prairie, Alberta, finished second in the Superior International Junior Hockey League in wins and saves during the 2019-2020 campaign.
Here are the final stats for Jacob Anthony with the Dryden GM Ice Dogs and to hear his year-end speech, visit the Audio link below.
2018-2019
Regular Season: 21 Games, 3.43 Goals-against-average, .897 Save %
Playoffs: 8 Games, 2.25 Goals-against-average, .935 Save % ***PLAYOFF MVP FOR DRYDEN GM
2019-2020
Regular Season: 39 Games, 3.45 Goals-against-average, .908 Save %
Playoffs: N/A Due to COVID-19 shutdown
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are saying good-bye to four players.
The 20-year-old’s were recognized at the virtual Awards Banquet held on Facebook Sunday.
Sam Mouland is from Hay River, Northwest Territories.
“Just wanted to take a second to thank the Dryden GM Ice Dogs organization. Each and every one of you made showing up to the rink every day very enjoyable.”
He adds “It was an honour to be a part of this team and I will cherish the memories of playing here forever.”
Mouland was acquired at the trade deadline this past season, but he also played with the Ice Dogs for 15 games in 2017-2018.
In two stints with Dryden GM, Mouland recorded 5-goals, 14-assists, 19-points and 50-penalty minutes in 38-games.
To hear more from Sam Mouland, visit the Audio link below.
Don Dowswell of the Thunder Bay North Stars has been named Superior International Junior Hockey League Equipment Manager/Trainer of the Year.
The award is presented annually in recognition of an individual on the training staff for their efforts throughout the season.
Dowswell has been a fixture behind the North Stars’ bench for a number of years and League Commissioner Bryan Graham says he’s well deserving of the honour.
Graham says he does tremendous and unheralded work for the betterment of all players.
